Leaning on the cane, MSME Ministry calls for Bamboo Policy to boost employment

In order to create employment opportunities in the rural sector by harnessing the potential of bamboo based industries centred majorly in the NorthEast region, MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari has suggested small enterprises to adopt cost effective methods and cheaper modes of transport such as waterways in the logistics of bamboo items. 

 

Inaugurating a virtual exhibition on Bamboo based Industries Gadkari laid emphasis on the need for expedient and prudent use of the natural bamboo resources in India that are used in various sectors like handicrafts, agarbatti making, furniture, construction and interiors, bio-fuel manufacturing, etc. He also exhorted the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) to come up with a Bamboo Policy as maximum bamboo production happens in the Northeast.

 

DoNer Ministry is responsible for the matters relating to the planning, execution and monitoring of development schemes and projects in the North Eastern Region, it   led the development plan of three bamboo clusters in Jammu, Katra, and Samba areas to produce bamboo basketry, agarbatti, and bamboo charcoal in past and also set up Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC) ay Burnihat Assam. 

 

Realising the potential of bamboo related activities in employment creation, Gadkari called for the cultivation of high yielding varieties like 200 tonnes per acre yield instead of around 40 tonnes per acre in case of few varieties for industrial use which will generate more employment opportunities particularly in Northeast India.